How is art conceived, created, and experienced? How is it taught? How does the act of viewing an artwork make the viewer part of that work? Starting from such questions, the new publication Learning Mind: Experience into Art explores the contemporary art experience and its expanding presence in society through essays, interviews, and conversations with some of the most influential artists and educators of our time. Jacquelynn Baas, BAM/PFA director emerita and the book’s co-editor with Mary Jane Jacob, will introduce Learning Mind, published in November by UC Press. Three contributors will read excerpts from their essays: Baas, from “The Unknown Child: Art Mediation/Mediation Art”; UC Berkeley landscape architecture professor Walter Hood, from his conversation with Alice Waters, “Coming Back to Our Senses”; and BAM/PFA Director Lawrence Rinder, from “Towards a New Critical Pedagogy.” The audience is invited to participate in the conversation and book signing that follow.

Preceded at 5 p.m. by KALX DJ Citizen Zain spinning in the lobby, where Zine Mart will be open and wine and beer will be available for purchase.